'I sympathise with Siwale, coaches no longer judged at end of season'

(Photo via ZUFC media)

Former Zesco United striker Nchimunya Mweetwa has expressed hope that his former club can quickly rediscover their winning touch following a worrying dip in form by the nine-time league champions.

Zesco are currently on a three-match losing streak, a run that has dragged them to 11th place on the table with 25 points, just four points above the relegation zone. Their latest setback, a 2–1 defeat to Konkola Blades, has left them four points clear of Mutondo, who occupy the first relegation spot.

Earlier this week, the club issued a statement confirming that it is reviewing the performance of the technical bench headed by Emmanuel Siwale following the recent poor run of results.

Speaking in an interview, Mweetwa described the slump as unfortunate but urged the club to respond swiftly.

“When you look at the table, it does not make good reading. This shows that the club needs to take the corner before it is too late,” Mweetwa said.

He added that he understood the club’s decision to issue a public statement and sympathised with Siwale.

“I understand the club needs to communicate a message. They need to show the fans and other stakeholders that they are doing something about what is happening in terms of results. I believe that is the spirit with which that statement was made.

“As a coach myself, I sympathise with the big man [Siwale]. Football is cruel; we are no longer judged at the end of the season, we are judged after 90 minutes, which is a bit unfortunate,” Mweetwa said.

Zesco will face Power Dynamos in their week 23 match tomorrow at the Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe.